Young
children love tea parties. Why not invite a few of their friends over for an
afternoon party for Valentines Day? Set a pretty table with linen napkins,
fresh flowers, tea sandwiches and pink punch. During the party help each little
guest create confectionary necklaces to take home as a party favor. Start with
a pretty heart invitation and let the party begin.
A Formal Invitation
Cut
a heart shape from pale pink card stock. Use a dark pink or purple glitter pen
and write out the party details along the edges of the heart, working toward
the center. Leave room in the middle to print each guest’s name. Here is an
example of the invitation wording:
Ms.
Susie Smith would love the pleasure of your company at a Valentine day
afternoon tea.
Sweets
and sips will be served to your hearts delight at half past three on February
14th.
Mail
or hand deliver these invitations at least a week or more before your holiday
party.
Set
a Delightful Table Décor
Top
your table with a pink or white cloth. Roll the linen napkins and tie it with
pretty pink ribbon. For centerpieces, cut baby roses and arrange them in
teacups to place on the table. To add Valentine flair, placing red paper
doilies and heart confetti on your table. Since children love balloons, fill
your room with balloons in Valentine colors of red, white, pink and lavender.
Tea
Time Treats
Even
though this party is passed the lunch hour, serve little tea sandwiches for
snacks. Cut bread into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Spread the sandwiches
with fillings such as tuna salad, chicken salad and even peanut butter and
jelly. For the tea, pour a pink punch. This could be pink lemonade poured into
children’s plastic teacups.
For
dessert bake cupcakes in advance. Allow the little girls to ice the cupcakes
with vanilla frosting. Provide an assortment of baking sprinkles in Valentine
colors for the children to place on top.
Valentine Necklace Favor
Let
each guest make a candy necklace to take home as a favor. Provide each child
with a piece of plastic wrap about 2 feet long. Set out bowls of Valentine
candy in the center of the table. The girls can select a few pieces of candy
and place them 2 inches apart across the length of the plastic wrap. An adult
needs to help them roll the candy inside the plastic wrap making a tube.
Between the candy clusters tie a bow using a piece of ribbon. Do this procedure
evenly spaced to create a pretty necklace. Make sure the candy is securely
wrapped inside the tube using tape if necessary. When finished not the ends of
the tube together to form the necklace. As the children leave the party, let
them wear their necklace home.
Tips
for a Successful Children’s Tea Party
- Avoid serving hot tea to young children. The girls probably will not like the taste and you want to avoid any hot spills or burning of the tongue.
- Stay away from sugar overload. Serve nutritious food during the party and only one dessert. When making the candy necklace make sure the girls label the craft with their name and take the party favor home to eat at a later time.
- Recruit older siblings to help the little girls at the party. Or think about inviting the mothers for a mother and daughter Valentine tea party.
Most
of all enjoy the party together and take pictures to savor the memories.
Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com CCO Creative Commons
